I'm down to the finish on buying a bike. I've decided I like the Trek FX line. Feels good and will serve the kind of riding I anticipate.
The LBS advertised a 2016 FX 7.2 for $450. I've seen online prices in other bike stores for $390, but they won't ship them. So, I was hoping to get it for around $400 or so. Went to the LBS, and the ad was wrong, and they don't have any of them. They do have the 2017 FX 2 that he said he would sell me for $450. Unfortunately, the 2017 FX 2 (< that's the new naming; they dropped the 7. part) is a downgrade in terms of tires and front derailleur (and shifters?). The MRSP for the FX 2 is $519, so I suppose $450 is an okay price... He did have a 2016 FX 7.3 in my size. Last 2016 FX in the store, and the 2017 FX 3 is available. That 2016 lists at $599, and he said he would sell for $540. (The new 2017 FX 3 has jumped to $699, partly because it now has a carbon fork. So, basically Trek downgraded the 7.2 > 2 and raised the price by $20 and upgraded 7.3 > 3 and raised the price by $100.)
Now I had started out with a $300 budget, so I'm already overreaching, but:
2017 FX 2 for $450 or 2016 FX 7.3 for $540?